Finding Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom (List with Photos)

It can be challenging to find animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The park has over 300 species of animals and provides a home to over 2000 animals. Throughout the park, you’ll find animal habitats around nearly every turn. If you take the time to look for them, you might be surprised. We have found that you can spend the better part of a day looking for animals.

With so many animals, I created this guide to help others locate them. This has been a pet project of mine for some time. However, since we last updated this article, a few new animals have now called the Animal Kingdom home. Sadly, as the circle of life continues, a few animals have passed away, and their habitats have not been replaced.

Unfortunately, we probably will never have every single animal listed in this guide. Many animals are part of Kilimanjaro Safaris, and you may or may not see them during your experience. But we will highlight the individual habitats in the park. We know where all the regulars are and stop in for a visit regularly.

If you want to learn more about the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, we recommend watching The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom on Disney+ before your visit. Two seasons are available as of this update. You will learn many interesting facts about the animals in the park. It also shares fun information like their names, habits, and what they like to eat.

List of Animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Below, we’ve grouped the animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in order of the section of the park where you’ll find them. We’ve linked to articles that go into further depth about these areas where applicable if you want to learn more.

When looking for animals, you’ll want to keep a few things in mind. Many of the animals are most active first thing in the morning. For many, this is valuable touring time. But if you’re hoping to enjoy a slow-paced, relaxed day, this is the best time to see the animals. Additionally, if you stay late, we recommend riding the safari a second time. Often, we see the lions awake later in the day.

However, most other animals tend to go in at sunset. Other factors can play into your experience, like the weather. If you find yourself visiting on an unseasonably cool day, you might find the animals hiding to stay warm. If you can’t find a particular animal, ask an animal care specialist. They are typically positioned close to various exhibits from time to time.

Animals in The Oasis

When you first enter the park, you’re in an area called The Oasis. This area serves as a walkway to the park’s opening, where the Tree of Life sits in the distance. However, many don’t realize that The Oasis is an attraction with multiple exhibits.

The Oasis is home to the following animals:

• Spoonbill
• Reeve’s Muntjac
• Babirusa
• Rhinoceros Iguana
• Southern Giant Anteater
• Chilo Wigeon Duck
• Black-necked Swan
• Domestic Geese

Sadly, the black swans and the wallaby have passed away in recent years.

Bonus: Make sure you go over the suspension bridge and walk through the cave while exploring!

Discovery Island Trails

At the top of The Oasis, you’ll continue into an area called Discovery Island. This is where the Tree of Life first comes into view. If your children are interested in seeing animals, you’ll want to stop here on the immediate right and pick up a Wilderness Explorer’s guidebook.

At some point during your day, you’ll want to make time to see a show called Winged Encounters. This performance takes place multiple times per day. It lasts about five minutes, so it won’t take up much of your touring time. It’s an excellent offering. We stop to see it every time we have the chance.

During the show, cast members educate guests about Macaws and discuss why they do not make good pets. At one point, a tremendous group of macaws flew through and landed in the area. They consist of Scarlet, Military, and Hyacinth. When the presentation is over, they all fly off at once. Don’t be surprised if you feel their feathers as they take off. It’s an incredible experience.

Here is a list of other animal habitats in the Discovery Island area of the park. You’ll find these animals surrounding the Tree of Life. A few can be seen up close from the Tree of Life Garden Trails and Discovery Island Trail.

• Lesser Flamingos
• Asian Small-Clawed Otters
• Cotton Top Tamarins
• Red Kangaroo
• Lappet Face Vulture
• Shark Catfish
• White Stork
• Ring Tail Lemur
• Brown Collar Lemur
• African Crested Porcupine (They were out foraging on a recent visit.)
• Giant Galapagos Tortoise

*We’ll have new photos coming soon.

Kilimanjaro Safaris

While I can’t list every animal you can expect to see on the safari, I will list a few highlights. This attraction is home to over 34 species of animals. It’s truly an incredible experience that’s worth doing at least twice during your visit. The safari entrance sits near the back of the Africa section of the park.

• White Rhinos
• Bongo
• Springbok
• African Wild Dogs
• Masai Giraffe
• Wildebeests
• Ankole Cattle
• Mandrills
• African Elephant
• Cheetah
• Lions
• African Hogs
• Black Rhinos
• Nile Crocodile
• Eland
• Ostrich
• Bontebok
• Sable Antelope
• Hippopotamus
• Pink-Backed Pelican
• Flamingos

Again, these are just a few of the Disney animals you might see on safari. The best seat on the safari is on the left-hand (driver) side of the vehicle. From this side, you’ll have a better opportunity to see the elephants, mandrills, cheetahs, and lions. But it’s not the end of the world if you are seated on the opposite side.

Gorilla Falls Exploration Trail

When you exit Kilimanjaro Safaris, Gorilla Falls Exploration is on the right. This trail allows visitors to see gorillas and several other animals.

• Colobus Monkey’s
• Okapi
• Hippopotamus
• Western Lowland Gorillas
• Meerkats
• Grevy’s Zebra
• Birds (Aviary)

Fun Fact: Gino, a Western Lowland Gorilla, was one of the opening-day animals at Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park.

My favorite animals in this area are the gorillas. They have a unique habitat here at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. One of the animal care guides told me that the gorillas can tell by the angle of the sun when the day is almost done. They usually begin to line up in one area to go in for the day as the sun sets. They know it’s time for their daily treat.

Maharajah Jungle Trek

The next trail featuring animals is the Maharajah Jungle Trek. The big draw here is the Sumatran tigers. As mentioned earlier, they often can be found napping the later the day gets. Your chance of seeing them in action is greater before lunchtime.

The trail is also home to a lazy dragon, macaques (very entertaining Old World monkeys), real hanging bats, various savanna animals, and a tremendous bird sanctuary.

The tigers are a favorite here for most guests. However, if you have the time, I encourage you to really explore the trail in its entirety. It’s extremely peaceful and includes beautiful artwork in the form of murals along the way.

Bird lovers will want to take their time in the sanctuary toward the end. There’s so much more than meets the eye here if you take the time to look a bit closer. I’m always amazed at the variety of birds hiding in the foliage.

Animals in Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s Asia

Additionally, you’ll find two different Gibbon habitats in Asia near the entrance of Kali River Rapids. The first is the Siamangs. They are on the main walkway between Asia and Expedition Everest.

The other habitat sits a little further back, close to Maharajah Jungle Trek, and offers white-cheeked Gibbons. There are often a few of these that are a solid golden color. The gibbons are very entertaining.

Dinoland U.S.A. Animals

You might be surprised to find a few animal viewing areas over in the Dinoland U.S.A. portion of the park. To me, these seem to be easily overlooked unless you are specifically looking for them.

Here are the ones you can expect to see.

The Abdim stork and Asian Bown tortoise share a habitat. If you notice, the photo with the birds above actually has a tortoise in it toward the middle. The brown shell tends to blend in with the landscape.

The American crocodile is fairly interesting. It can be seen quite closely when there are not many guests crowding around.

The park’s map also lists the Tyrannosaurus Rex as an animal highlight in Dinoland. The fossil has an interesting story behind it. Dino-Sue is a replica of the largest (and most complete) T-Rex fossil found to date. The original fossil was unearthed in South Dakota in 1990 and is on display at the Fields Museum in Chicago.

Rafiki’s Planet Watch

Our last area of the park to observe animals is very kid-friendly. It also requires a train ride to access. Rafiki’s Planet Watch has a friendly area called the Affection Section that serves as a petting zoo.

Inside the Conservation Station area, you’ll also encounter a large variety of different species, including reptiles and insects. Below are some of the things you’ll see.

Final Thoughts on the Animals at Animal Kingdom

Hopefully, this guide has given you a good idea of what animals you can find at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Most will agree that a day spent here is unlike any other. Where else could you visit and have the opportunity to see so many animals? Including some that are even listed on the endangered species list? And still, be able to visit other theme parks with major thrill attractions all in a week’s vacation?

Vacation is typically a time to let the world go and spend time with your loved ones. It’s one of the things we all work so hard to provide for our families. Don’t forget to savor these moments and the conversations they foster. These are the kind of memories that will not be long forgotten.

Speaking of vacation, you might enjoy browsing our Disney World Hotel Reviews. And if you want to stay near the animals, you’ll love a stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have a review of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

For more planning, you might enjoy our Disney’s Animal Kingdom Planning Guide. Or try some of the following:

• Pandora, World of Avatar Guide
• Discovery Island Trails Guide
• Rafiki’s Planet Watch Guide
• Maharajah Jungle Trek

Have fun finding the animals at Animal Kingdom Park! Leave a comment below, and let me know which ones you are hoping to see.